Polystyrene is a synthetic polymer made from monomers of the aromatic hydrocarbon styrene. It can be solid or foamed and is used in a wide range of applications across all industries. Here are some of the most common uses of polystyrene:

• Packaging: Polystyrene is used in its solid, film, and foam form for packaging materials, including meat trays, egg cartons, and foam packaging peanuts for shipping.

• Appliances and Electronics: Polystyrene is used in appliances and electronics for housings and casings, including refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, and computers.

• Medical Applications: Due to its clarity and ease of sterilization, polystyrene is used for a wide range of medical applications, including tissue culture trays, test tubes, petri dishes, diagnostic components, and housings for medical devices.

• Automotive Parts: Polystyrene is used to make many car parts, including knobs, instrument panels, trim, energy-absorbing door panels, and sound-dampening foam.

• Food Service: Polystyrene is food safe, so it’s used in food service applications as rigid silverware and containers for food and drinks, as well as polystyrene film as part of meat and takeout packaging.

• Construction: Polystyrene is used as insulation foam for construction.

• Modeling and Prototyping: Polystyrene is used as a prototyping material and in modeling applications.

• Surfboards and Sliders: Polystyrene foam is used in the manufacture of sliders, model planes, and even surfboards because of its positive strength-to-weight ratio.

Overall, polystyrene is a versatile material that is used in a wide range of applications due to its clarity, ease of sterilization, and cost-effectiveness.